asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state what is the total amount accruing from the Agricultural Grant to the relief of rates on agricultural land due to the Cork County Council to the present date, also if he is aware that the overdraft due to the Council's treasurers amounts to £108,000, with a consequent loss to the ratepayers for interest owing to the non-payment of the grants due, and if he will see that a substantial instalment of the amount due is sent on immediately.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Agricultural Grant and the Rates.
There is a sum of £25,131 5s. due to Cork County Council in respect of the second quarterly instalment of Agricultural Grant for the present year. There will also be payable a further sum of about £23,000 in respect of the county share in the additional grant of £250,000 authorised by the Government in the current year. The advance of sums on account of the second quarterly instalment referred to is under consideration. The distribution of the £250,000 additional grant must await the enactment of legislation which is at present in course of preparation. I am aware of the overdraft position.
Would the Minister say if there is any truth in the statement made at the last meeting, on November 11th, that there was a sum of £140,000 due from the Agricultural Grant to the Cork County Council and, if that is so, are these sums kept back in view of the unpaid land annuities due to the economic war?
There is, I have no doubt, a considerable sum due owing to the non-payment of land annuities. There is also a very considerable sum due in rates to the Cork County Council, and I wonder if the Deputy is assisting the Cork County Council to get these rates in.
I am helping in every way I can, by assistance in the way of collection of rates and also land annuities. The only point I want to clear up is whether there is any truth in the statement that there was a sum of £140,000 due from the Agricultural Grant.
The sum, outside of the quarter of a million grant due to the Cork County Council in the September half-year, is £25,131.
Therefore, they are inaccurate in their statement?
They are.